Device for philatelists&#39; use



Jan. 8, 1935. D. c. STILES I DEVICE FOR PHILATELISTS' USE Filed March15, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet l Mm Z jorzald 6. Sides Jan. 8, 1935.

D. c. STILES 1,987,377

DEVICE FOR PHILATELISTS USE Filed March 15, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 2Lonalals'fzlea Patented Jan. s, 1935 UNITED STATES DEVICE FORPHILATELISTS USE Donald C. Stiles, Spri fi ld, Mass, assignor to UnitedStates Envelope Company, Springfield, Mass, a corporation of MaineApplication March 15, 1934, Serial No. 715,690

13 Claims. (01. 40-459) The present invention relates to devices for useby philatelists in securing and displaying, either in albums or onsheets, the stamps of their collections,while at the same time affordingthe utmost protection to such stamps, and wholly avoiding any defacementor injury of either their printed or their glued surfaces.

Heretofore it has been the general practice to secure and display stampsin collectors albums or sheets by means of stamp hinges,--the latterbeing simply strips of thin paper, coated with adhesive on one surface,which, in use, are folded transversely, with the moistened adhesive onone side of the fold adhering to the back of the stamp, and themoistened adhesive on the other side of the fold adhering to the albumpage or sheet. This method of attachment and display affords noprotection whatsoever to the stamps, and furthermore, is veryobjectionable to collectors of unused specimens, because of itsdefacement of the glued surface of the stamps; even with used stamps,these hinges, in the process of removing a stamp from an album or sheet,are likely, unless great care is used, to produce tearing or defacementof the delicate material of the specimen.

Some stamp collectors, by way of avoiding the hazards'associated withthe use of stamp hinges, have resorted to the expedient of placing eachstamp specimen in a small cellophane envelope, and then adhesivelysecuring such envelope to the album page or sheet. This method, whileaffording protection for the stamps, is too ex-.

pensive for the average collector,--requiring, as it does, the purchaseof a large number of different sizes of cellophane envelopes to fit thelarge variety of different size stamps encountered in the usualcollection.

The present invention provides stamp mountings much cheaper than thecellophane envelopes heretofore used, but having all of their protectiveadvantages; furthermore, the devices of the present invention, unlikesuch envelopes, are readily adaptable to the reception and display ofstamps of various dimensions, both large and small, and unlike suchenvelopes, they provide in themselves the means of adhesive attachmentto the album page or sheet. Other and further objects and advantages ofthe invention will appear from the following detailed description takenin connection with the accompanying drawings in which:- I

Fig. 1 is a front perspective view of the transparent tube from whichthe improved mountings are cut.

Fig. 1a is a sectional view on a larger scale than Fig. 1 and with thethickness of the material greatly exaggerated, showing the use of amounting after it is out and folded in the manner depicted by Fig. 1. 5

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the tube shown in Fig. 1 from theopposite side thereof illustrating the use of this tube for a largerstamp.

Fig. 2a is a greatly exaggerated sectional view on a larger scale thanFig. 2, showing the use of 10 a mounting after it is cut in the mannershown by Fig. 2.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view similar to Fig. 1, showing the use of awider tube for stamps in blocks of four.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the device of Fig.

1 on a larger scale, the thickness of the material being greatlyexaggerated.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a modified form of the device, alsogreatly exaggerated. 20

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of another modification of the device.

Fig. 7 is a sectional view of another modification.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the device of Fig. 6, showing a stamppositioned therein and with the device folded ready for mounting.

Like reference characters refer to like parts in the different figures.

The device of the invention involves an elongated transparent tube 1,Figs. 1 and 2, or 1a, Fig. 3, having a width at least as great as theheight of the article to be positioned therein, with a strip of adhesive2 or 2a extending longitudinally on the outside of said tube adjacent 5to one of the folded edges. The tube 1, Figs. 1 and 2, is of a suitablewidth for the mounting of individual stamps A or A of various heights,as indicated, and the tube 1a, Fig. 3, which is of greater width,accommodates blocks of stamps B, this tube also accommodating variousheights up to the width of the tube. For the mounting of first-daycovers, which, as is well known, are envelopes to which a commemoratorystamp is affixed with the stamp cancelled by the post mark of the placeand date of the first issue of the stamp, a third size of tube which isof sufiicient width to accommodate the envelope is provided. These threesizes will accommodate, as will be apparent, substantially every size ofstamp or group of stamps or first-day cover.

The individual mountings are cut from the elongated tube preferably tolengths slightly greater than the widths of the articles therein, asalong the line 3, Figs. 1 and 2, or 3a, Fig. 3.

When the stamp or first-day cover is of the same width as the tube, asin Fig. .2, the former is positioned within said tube with the adhesiveon the side of the tube opposite to that through which the face of thestamp is visible, and the individual mounting is secured to the albumpage or sheet C by the strip of adhesive 2 on the tube.

when the height of the stamp or block of stamps is less than the widthof the tube, as indicated in Figs. 1 and 3, the tube, after having beenout along the line 3 or 3a to the proper length, is folded along a line4 or is coinciding substantially with the upper edge of the stamp, thelower edge of the latter being in engagement with the folded edge of thetube remote from the line of adhesive. When the tube is used in thismanner, the adhesive is on the side of the tube through which the faceof the stamp is visible so that when the tube is folded, the adhesivewill be located on the back thereof for attachment to the album or sheetin the manner indicated in Fig. 1a.

Referring now to Fig 4. which shows the device of Fig. l on a muchlarger scale, the tube 1 is formed from a strip of transparent material,preferably cellulose acetate or other derivative of cellulose, with theopposite edges 5 and 8 of said strip overlapping andsecuredtogetherbyany suitable adhesive. The tube 1 is flat and provides opposite foldededges 7 and 8 with the overlapping edges of the strip preferably locatedadjacent to the folded edge '1 of said tube. The strip of adhesive 2extends longitudinally of the tube on the outside thereof adjacent tothe folded edge 7 and, in the particular construction shown, extends inoverlying relation to the overlapping edges 5 and 6 of the strip formingthe tube. The relative position of the strip of adhesive and theoverlapping edges 4 and 5 is not material except that the sides of thetube between the adhesive strip and the opposite edge of the tube arepreferably entirely free from overlapping edges and seams to provide fora clear view, through the sides of the tube, of the article within themounting.

As shown in the modification of Fig. 5, the elongated tube 1 may beformed from a strip of transparent material having its opposite edgessecured together by a strip of gummed paper 9 on the outside thereof.The strip of transparent 'mate-, rial is folded substantially centrallythereof and forms one folded edge 8 of the tube, and the strip of gummedpaper 9 which is also folded substantially centrally thereof, andoverlies the opposite edges of the strip, forms the opposite folded edge7' of the completed tube. The outer surface of the strip of gummed paper9 is also coated with adhesive, as indicated, to provide a strip ofadhesive 2' on at least one side of the flat tube adjacent to the foldededge 7' thereof. In this modification, the sides of the tube are freefrom seams or overlapping edges except for the portion of the tubecovered by the strip of adhesive-coated paper.

Referring now to Fig. 6, which shows a further modification, the tube 1"comprises a seamless transparent tube which is flattened to provide theopposite folded edges 7" and 8". A strip of adhesive 3" extendslongitudinally of the tube on the outside thereof in parallel relationto and adjacent to the folded edge 7". In this modification, theopposite sides of the tube are entirely transparent except for theportion covered by the strip of adhesive.

In the modification of Fig. I, the tube 1'" has one side 10 thereofformed from transparent material, and the other side 11 thereof formedfrom paper. The strip of cellophane forming the side 10 is wider thanthe strip of paper and has its opposite edges folded over and secured tothe back of said paper, as indicated. A strip of gummed paper 9' issecured to the transparent side 10 of the tube adjacent to one edge 1"thereof, so that when said tube is folded over in the manner indicatedin Fig. 1a and Fig. 8, the adhesive will be on the back side of thecompleted structure for attaching the latter to the album or sheet. Inthis modification, the face of the stamp is clearly visible through theside 10 of the tube when positioned therein.

The elongated tubes of Figs. 4, 5, 8 or '7 are provided in varyingwidths, three different widths being generally sumcient, as abovestated, for accommodating the large variety of individual stamps, blocksof stamps, and first-day covers encountered in a collection. Theindividual mounting is cut to the proper width from the elongated tubeand is folded to the proper height for each individual article; it willthus be apparent that the dimensions of each completed mounting aresubstantially the same as those of the stamp or cover to be enclosedindependently of the variation in dimension between the width of thetube and the height of the stamp or cover.

Since the adhesive used in forming the tube and also in attaching thetube or container to the album is entirely separate from the portion ofthe tube or mounting in which the stamp is positioned, the adhesive canhave no detrimental eflect on the condition of the stamp within thecontainer. Furthermore, since the tube is cut to a, length slightlygreater than the width of the stamp or cover, the latter is completelyprotected thereby on all sides against injury and soiling, and may, atthe same time, be inspected without removal from the mounting.

. Although it will be apparent from Figs. la and 241 that the mountingis open on both sides, the stamp or cover is securely retained in saidmounting by the inherent flatness of the material of the container aswell as by its inherent static charge which both tend to resistseparation of the opposite sides of the tube and thereby prevent thestamp from moving laterally.

At the same time, accurate folding of the tube to produce a mountingwhose height, in the stamp-receiving portion, is the same as that of thestamp, so that the upper and lower edges of the latter are coincidentwith the fold lines of the container, as indicated in Fig. 8, obviouslyaids in holding the stamp against lateral displacement. For morepositive securement of the stamp or article within the container, thefront and back walls thereof may be secured together on opposite sidesof the stamp, as by the provision of a short diagonal notch 10 in boththe front and back walls of the mounting beyond the edges of the stamptherein. This notch forms a tab 12 which is folded back after the stampis positioned within the mounting (see Fig. 8) to hold the front andback walls of the mounting together. Another method for securing thefront and back walls together involves the application to the front andback walls at opposite edges of the mounting beyond the edges of thestamp, adrop of a suitable solution which will cause the material of thetwo walls to adhere together; if the material of the mounting iscellulose acetate, this solution may be methyl celosolve.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that the present inventioninvolves an elongated tube for use by philotelists in mounting thestamps and first-day covers of their collections, said tube having astrip of adhesive adjacent to one of the folded edges thereof. Byselecting a tube whose width is at least as great as the article to bemounted and cutting from said tube a mountingwhose width is slightlygreater than the width of the article, an individual mounting isprovided in which the article may be positioned with its lower edgeengaging the folded edge of the tube remote from the strip of adhesive.When the tube is of the same width as the height of the article, it isthen mounted as in Fig. 2a. When the tube is wider than the height ofthe article, however, this being more often the case, the mounting,after having been cut from the tube, is folded longitudinally along theline 4 coinciding with the upper edge of the article therein and saidmounting is then secured to the album or sheet as indicated in Fig. la.In either event, it will be apparent that the face of the stamp orfirst-day cover within the mounting is completely visible through theface of said mounting.

I claim,

1. A device for use by philatelists in the mounting of stamps or otherarticles in albums or the like, said device comprising a tube having atleast one side thereof transparent and adapted to receive the stamp orother article therein, said tube having a strip of adhesive extendinglongitudinally on the outside thereof.

2. A device for use by philatelists in the mounting of stamps or otherarticles in albums or the like, said device comprising a flattransparent tube wider than the height of the article to be positionedtherein and open at opposite ends thereof, and a strip of adhesive onthe outside of said tube adjacent one of the folded edges thereof.

3. A device for use by philatelists in the mounting of stamps or otherarticles in albums or the like, said device comprising a flat tubehaving at least one side transparent and being wider than the height ofthe article to be positioned therein, and longer than said article, saidtube=having a strip of adhesive extending longitudinally thereofadjacent to one folded edge, and providing for securing the containerwith the article therein to the page of an album.

4. A device for use by philatelists in the mounting of stamps or otherarticles in albums or the like, said device comprising a flat tubehaving at least one side transparent and having a strip of adhesiveextending longitudinally thereof adjacent one folded edge, said tubebeing wider than the height of the article to be positioned therein toprovide for positioning of said article within said tube in engagementwith one folded edge thereof, and to provide for folding over of saidtube along a line coinciding with the opposite edge of the article, withthe strip of adhesive located entirely on the folded-over portion, saidtube being at least as long as the width of the article.

5. A device for use by philatelists in the mounting of stamps or otherarticles in albums or the like, said device comprising a flattransparent tube having a strip of adhesive extending longitudinally onthe outside thereof adjacent to one of the folded edges'of said tube,the latter being wider between said strip and the opposite folded edgethan the height of the article to provide for folding over of said tubealong a line coinciding with the upper edge of the article after thelatter has been positioned within the tube with the lower edge thereofengaging the folded edge of the tube remote from the adhesive strip,said tube being longer than the width of the article, the front and backwalls of the tube being secured together on opposite sides of thearticle therein to prevent removal of said article from said tube.

6. A new article of manufacture,for use by philatelists in themountingof stamps or the like, comprising a tube formed from transparentmaterial having a strip of adhesive extending longitudinally on theouter surface thereof.

'7. A new article of manufacture, for use by philatelists in themounting of stamps or the like, comprising a flat tube having at leastone side transparent and having adhesive on a portion of the outersurface longitudinally of said tube, the latter being at least as wideas the height of the largest of the stamps.

8. A new article of manufacture, for use by philatelists in the mountingof stamps or the like, comprising a flat tube formed from a strip oftransparent material having its opposite edges overlapping and securedtogether, said tube having a strip of adhesive extending longitudinallyon the outer surface thereof adjacent to one folded edge.

9. A new article of manufacture, for use by philatelists in the mountingof stamps or the like, comprising a flat tube formed from a strip oftransparent material folded along a substantially central line, and astrip of adhesive securing the free edges of said strip together, saidadhesive strip also providing an outer adhesive surface on at least oneside of the flat tube.

10. A new article of manufacture, for use by I philatelists in themounting of stamps or the like, comprising a flat seamless transparenttube having a strip of adhesive extending longitudinally on the outerside thereof adjacent one folded edge.

11. As a new article of manufacture, a device for use by philatelists inthe mounting of stamps or other articles of various sizes in albums orthe like, said device comprising a flat tube having at least one sidetransparent and being at least as wide as the height of the largestsized article, said tube having adhesive extending longitudinally on oneside thereof adjacent to one folded edge, said tube being longer thanthe width of the largest article to be mounted.

12. A new article of manufacture, for use by philatelists in themounting of stamps or the like, comprising a tube formed from a strip oftransparent material having adhesive extending longitudinally on theouter surface thereof, said tube being longer than the article to bepositioned therein to provide for cutting of said tube transversely tothe desired length.

13. As a new article of manufacture, a device for use by philatelists inthe mounting of stamps or other articles of various sizes in albums orthe like, said device comprising a flat tube having at least one sidetransparent and being at least as wide as the height of the largestsized article, said tube having adhesive extending longitudinal- 1:! onone side thereof adjacent to one folded edge, said tube being longerthan the width of the largest article to be mounted, and being adaptedto be cut transversely to the proper size for the article to be mountedtherein.

Domini: c. smas.

